One of my online students tipped me off about this from Bill Maher on his HBO show:
New Rule: Scientists must explain why we will stop and watch a movie on cable even though we own that exact same movie on DVD, and could watch it any time we want. I call it “Shawshank” Syndrome. And I’ve realized that DVD’s are a lot like marriage: when it’s there every single night, just sitting right in front of you, for some reason, you don’t feel like putting it in.
Oh, yeah. I’ve got several movies like that. Shawshank. Shakespeare in Love. But the worst is The Natural. I mean, I like The Natural, it’s a good movie, but it’s not in my top 100, not nearly. But if I’m flipping channels and hit that at any point from where Redford is in the hospital before the Big Game, I have to watch that movie. All the way to the end. Something about the build up to the final at-bat — and yes, the scene is over the top — the swing, the ball soaring, hitting the floodlights, the slow motion reaction shots, the shower of sparks, and of course, that incredible musical score, then the denouement of Redford playing catch with his son in that field of tall, golden grass… gotta watch it.
How about you? What are your Shawshank Syndrome movies?
The Princess Bride and The Office.
With me, it's usually "chick flick" types that i would never want to admit to putting effort into watching but somehow can't resist:
1) Center Stage–because I'm obsessed with ballet.
2) The Devil Wears Prada (actually, as far as frivilous entertainment goes, this is pretty high quality)
3)The Notebook(holy God, did I really just admit that out loud?)
Sci-fi/action movies also have a way of falling into this category. I have a feeling the recent Star Trek (which I thoroughly enjoyed) will become one of those movies for me.
Last of the Mohicans … Good Will Hunting … The Matrix …
And a whole bunch of others.
"Coal Miner's Daughter" gets me every time.
I have to agree with you on "The Natural". It's just so entrancing. I'm not really a fan of baseball movies, but whenever I channel surfing by this movie, I have to watch it. It's just so much more than a sports/victory story. I find it relaxing and heart felt. Roy Hobbs (Redford) is just a gentle soul.
Oh.. I think I got something in my eye.. It's just dust! I swear.
I'd have to say a lot of Luc Besson classics like "Leon".. I'll always watch just to see that ending for the millionth time. And more recently "Big Fish" just for that ending.
1)Alien, even when I am not interested in the story, I get sucked into admiring the props and set design, and looking for new details.
2)The Blues Brothers-it is so much fun to watch even after the millionth time. I never get sick of the mixture of stupid jokes and awesome music.
And it doesnt help that my 9 year old is starting to love these movies too. Now when I am tempted to turn the channel, he wants to watch, so I get sucked in.
Come to think of it, he has sucked me into watching Goonies too…damn this list is really long when I start to think about it. I might have a problem
The Silence of the Lambs.
Unbreakable.
Don't even have it on DVD. Like you said, it's not even on my top 10 list or anything. But if I start watching it, I don't stop. Even with the commercials.
Independence Day.
For whatever reason, this movie completely sucks me in. And it couldn't be a more preposterous, derivative, overblown slophouse of a film and yet, whenever it shows up during a quick channel surf, I invariably stay tuned in up to the final corny fireworks comment by Will Smith.
God, I'm so ashamed…
Groundhog Day, Patton and any of the Bourne movies.
Goodfellas is an example of the opposite effect, which I'll creatively call "Goodfellas Syndrome". That's when a film's language/sex/violence is cleaned up to the point of such ridiculousness that I have to put on the DVD to watch it in its pure form.
In fact, it was while watching 10 or so horribly edited minutes of Goodfellas on cable that I immediately went out and bought the damn DVD.
Die Hard
Predator
Terminator
The Dark Knight
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Big Trouble In Little China
Back To The Future
Ghostbusters
Alien
Blues Brothers
Rush Hour
Independence Day
Hellboy
I agree. There really should be some studies done.
In my car I have turned off a CD I was listening to because I got bored of the song, only for the exact same song to be on the radio.
What is weird, is I find myself turning up the radio song, no longer bored of it.
I really think there is some human mentality in which we find ourselves enjoying things that seem random or temporary.
I just realized I meant Office Space not The Office.
I do that every damn time.
it has to be one of the Indiana Jones, I guess.
In fact, I think I could stop and watch any of the Spielberg movies.
And if I'm in France, it has to be one of those old historical movies with Jean Marais or Gerard Philippe.
And yes, Jean de Florette would also be on my "Shawshank Syndrome" list…
I honestly don't understand what you are talking about.
I can't even remember when I watched a movie on TV last time.
Why would I?
Mine is pretty pathetic… Fool's Gold. I know that it is a cheesy movie and McConaughey acts too much with his in eyes in that film, but if it's on TV I have to watch it! I dont' know why… But also to redeem myself, the Goonies. It could be the ending scene where Rosalita starts screaming not to sign in spanish, or the very opening car chase sequence.
Sense and Sensibility
Gone With The Wind
Love Actually
Shakespeare In Love
If I catch one frame as I walk past…that's it, I'm on the couch and everyone knows to just bring me food, drink and keep quiet.
Re: about the DVD marriage…
Watching the fav movies on TV has a different feel because you know there are loads of other fans doing the same thing. There's something about communal delight.